Local Places - Part 9

[smallhobbit]

We haven't visited anywhere of interest this month, so I thought instead I'd repost some of my older photos, to give a glimpse of areas of the Cotswolds.

This is Batsford Church, made of Ashlar limestone, a local stone:



Batsford is in the Cotswolds, near Moreton-in-Marsh, not far from Stow-in-the-Wold, which we reach via the Slaughters (Upper and Lower).  We turn left instead of right which would take us to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Stonehouse Court Hotel, which dates from 1601



Chipping Camden



Dyrham Park



Painswick



Yes, the Cotswolds are beautiful, but not necessarily as idyllic as some might think.  There is still rural poverty and while those with money have no difficulty in enjoying life, for others there are the same problems faced by everyone, with the added disadvantage of being at a distance from amenities - health services, public transport, education where the village schools which feature in many older stories are no longer considered viable.

The Cotswolds are also the setting for many cozy mysteries, and this year I'm going to investigate several books set in the area, to see whether all mysteries in the Cotswolds are indeed cozy, or whether they can be gritty as well.  At least there are a wide selection available in the local library!

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I look forward to the gritty Cotswolds! :) Lovely photos. Especially like the sheep.

[smallhobbit]

I will be posting reviews! Glad you like the photos.

[ride_4ever]

I enjoy looking at your various posts of local places...but it also makes me sad because it gets me wondering if I'll ever get to go to England again. I went twice to visit a fandom friend in County Norfolk, and it was a lovely place and a lovely time.

[howsmyenglish]

Batsford is in the Cotswolds, near Moreton-in-Marsh, not far from Stow-in-the-Wold, which we reach via the Slaughters (Upper and Lower). We turn left instead of right which would take us to Bourton-on-the-Water.
I love the names of the places! But I'm also having a deja-vu - did I leave such a comment in your journal previously?

The Stonehouse Court hotel looks interesting! I'd love to stay there one day.

[smallhobbit]

Norfolk is lovely. I've only been a couple of times but enjoyed both visits. I'm glad you like the pics though.

[smallhobbit]

These are photos I've posted before and the description was the same, so you probably have done so.

[debriswoman]

Great photos…enjoy the related literature:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - it will be an interesting read...

[rusty_armour]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos from the Cotswolds. I think your photo of Batsford Church might be my favourite.

I think you're right about that idyllic image of the Cotswolds. I'll be interested to learn whether you do manage to find some mysteries set in the Cotswolds that are gritty as well as cosy.

[smallhobbit]

I'm glad you liked the photos. All very idyllic - or is it.... I will certainly be posting my comments on the Cotswolds books.

[adafrog]

Nice, thanks.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.